Aim and Background: The largest group of exceptional children who are enrolled in schools for exceptional children belongs to those with dyscalculia. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness training on academic self-regulation and progress among the students with dyscalculia. Methods and Materials: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest/posttest design and control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of students with dyscalculia in fourth and fifth grades of elementary school in the academic year of 2014-15. The subjects received special services at Sanandaj City, Iran, rehabilitation centers for students with dyscalculia. 30 subjects were randomly selected and assigned to two equal groups of control and experimental. The experimental group participated in a 10-session mindfulness training program, but the control group was just exposed to conventional training at rehabilitation centers. Before and after the program, Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) developed by Ryan and Connell as well as researcher-made academic progress assessment test were administered. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. Findings: Following the adjustment of pretest scores, compared to the control group, the experimental group enjoyed a significantly better self-regulation and academic progress (P < 0.050). Conclusions: In general, the findings of the present study are consistent with those of previous studies, which show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based training has effectiveness on reducing psychological and academic problems of students with dyscalculia.
Homayoon Haroon Rashidi, Ali Akbar Arjmandniya, Golam Ali Afrooz, Kioumars Beshlideh, Volume 21, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
Aim and Background:The prevalence of low birth weight is one of the important sanitary indices in evaluating the prenatal care all over the world. So, recognition of risky factor related to low birth weight can help prevent the occurrence of being low birth weight. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of positive intervention on reducing depression, anxiety and stress in mothers with Infant’s low birth weight. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted as pre-test and post-test with control group. Statistical population included all mothers with Infant’s low birth weight in the city of Dezful. From among these mothers, 30 mothers were randomly selected and put into the experimental and control groups of 15 persons each. The DASS-22 Scale was the instrument of this study. First, the pretest was conducted on the two groups. Then, the experimental group was exposed to an eight-session training of group schema therapy these sessions were weekly held in group. At the end, the post-test was applied on both groups. One-way analysis of variance was used for intergroup changes using SPSS version 25 software and a significance level of P<0.05. Findings: The results of univariate covariance analysis showed that the positive intervention reduced depression, anxiety and stress of mothers with low-birth-weight babies (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that positive intervention is an effective treatment for reducing depression, anxiety and stress of mothers with low-birth-weight babies and generally improving people's mental health